In addition to the rigorous Classics race schedule, Cannondale Pro Cycling will also attend the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya. This is the fifth race on the UCI World Tour circuit and the Green Machine's first event in Spain. From Monday, March 24, through Sunday March 30, eight riders will tackle seven stages in the beautiful countryside of Catalonia.

 

The Catalunya's tough routes will be challenging for all theGC riders, including Ivan Basso. For the Cannondale Pro Cycling team captain, Catalunya is an opportunity to work hard and seek strong results following Tirreno-Adriatico.

 

"In Italy I did my best, knowing that I needed to improve my condition to be really competitive," said Basso. "The groundwork is laid, and the second step is to grow in terms of quality. Volta a Catalunya will be very useful for my goal of a great performance- I'll be there to play my chances on the mountains and to seek the best result."

 

New Zealander George Bennett, Colombian José Sarmiento, and Italian Cristiano Salerno will be the three climbers key to supporting Ivan as they head into the mountains, while Italian teammate Daniele Ratto will focus on sprints and mixed stages. The rest of the team taking on the Volta a Catalunya includes Australian Cameron Wurf as well as Jean-Marc Marino of France, and Michel Koch of Germany. These three long-distance riders will set the pace of the race to ideally position their captain for success. Leading this capable roster of athletes, will be Cannondale Pro Cycling team directors Dario Mariuzzo and Gilles Pauchard.

 

After Catalunya, Basso, Bennett, and Wurf along with Matej Mohoric, Marco Marcato and Alessandro De Marchi will fly to the island of Tenerife in the Canary Islands for a two week mountain training camp on Mount Teide. Coaches Sebastian Weber and Mattia Michelusi, as well as team director Alberto Volpi, will direct the training on site.